Moving from Berkeley, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
Moving from Berkeley, CA to Santa Rosa, CA covers 54 mi and about 1h 8m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
54 mi · 1h 8m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 580, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Santa Rosa are 6.8% below Berkeley — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Rosa typical home at $718,726 is 6.8% under Berkeley at $1,443,684 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Berkeley | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 74°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 31.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.5°F vs 59.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Rosa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Santa Rosa is 6.8% below Berkeley ($108,558 → $97,410, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $108,558 in Berkeley — a 10.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Berkeley and Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 58.5°F in Berkeley (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 26.1 in.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 8m via US 101 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 6.8% lower than Berkeley (107.784 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley — a 50.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA · Santa Rosa, CA.